In Her Boots: Hareesa Mohammed

Through Q&A articles and Instagram/Facebook Takeovers, our "In Her Boots" series is designed to showcase and provide an inside look at what a day in the life looks like in the shoes (or boots) for some of the exceptional women at Clark. 

Today we’re highlighting Hareesa Mohammed. A project engineer with Clark Water, Hareesa works on the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore, Maryland. 

What was your first role at Clark?

I started out in Preconstruction, budgeting healthcare projects at the conceptual stage through design completion to help owners get an idea of project cost early-on. Through my time in budgeting, I gained exposure to a variety of projects, learned about different trades, and developed meaningful relationships with trade contractors. Understanding the dance between the design drawings and project specifications was a huge learning curve for me, but I’m thankful for the endless support that I found in the department.

What drew you to a career in the construction industry?

I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During my senior year, I had a major career choice to make: design or construction? Part of me wanted to join a design firm, but a bigger part wanted to see how those designs came to life. Growing up, I had always been fascinated with the built environment and its wonders - from the great Egyptian pyramids to the Washington Monument. Even more intriguing was the thought of positively impacting the lives of people near and far. Construction was the way to go and I haven’t looked back ever since! 

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Aaah I can’t pick just one, so I’ll share a few that have really shaped my career so far:

• “Don’t fear failure; fall and raise gracefully” – Starting out as an entry-level engineer, it was very easy to feel overwhelmed and underqualified to take on tasks. I’ve made mistakes along the way but each one gave me the opportunity to learn something new. I began to understand that setbacks do not define who I am; they help me grow into a better version of myself that is now equipped with the tools to handle the next crisis. 
   
• “Be upfront and honest in difficult situations” – I can’t stress how important this is! In construction, we deal with a lot of fire drills, unexpected occurrences, and last-minute changes. Being open, direct, and honest about bad news early-on gives my project team time to address the issue and demonstrates a deep regard for our project’s success.
   
• “Listen generously; communicate clearly and often” – Listening with intent is an invaluable skill that helps prevent miscommunication and creates a space where ideas can be shared and valued. I’ve found that listening goes hand-in-hand with communicating clearly and often because it assures that all parties are on the same page at all times, minimizing the risk of words and actions being misinterpreted.

What is your favorite project you have ever worked on and why? 

I’m currently on my favorite project! My team (Clark Water) is a subcontractor to the Clark Civil-Ulliman Schutte Joint Venture at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore, MD. The JV is building new headworks facilities that will reduce more than 80% of the sewage overflows impacting Baltimore City’s sanitary sewer system. The plant serves over 1.3 million residents in Central Maryland, and wastewater currently enters the plant through two large concrete sewer pipes. My team is building a concrete junction chamber that will tie into the two pipes and divert flow into the newly constructed facilities to the rest of the Plant.

Our biggest challenge was supporting the active conduits in the air during construction, since one of them is over 110 years old and has deteriorated over time. Clark Foundations designed and installed a complex steel hanger system that allowed us to begin excavation around the conduits. Unfortunately, a major rain event caused the older pipe to crack, flooding our work area and delaying our project schedule for months.

Throughout the flood remediation and design re-evaluation process, I learned the true meaning of resilience and pushing through in the face of adversity. Things are back to normal now and we’re close to completing our structure. Proud of my team and everyone involved!

What is your proudest professional achievement? 

I went from not knowing a thing about concrete formwork and rebar to managing two trades through concrete completion. Our field crew self-performed the formwork and rebar so that added another layer of responsibility. A lot of lessons learned and growth along the way!

Who has had the greatest influence on you and why? 

My parents. They moved to the United States from Ghana in search of more opportunities for our family and had to make many sacrifices. They’ve always encouraged me to stay true to myself and look for the silver lining in every difficult situation. They taught me to give and give freely; to lend a helping hand whenever I could; and to never, ever give up. Being a triple minority in this industry has had its challenges but my parents continue to inspire me and motivate me to put my best foot forward and give it my all.

What advice do you have for a young woman looking to enter the industry?

• Don’t be afraid to take risks and push yourself beyond your own boundaries.
• Ask about that thing you don’t know - no matter how seemingly insignificant - if it is the difference between you finally knowing and never knowing.
• You bring something to the table that no one else can. There are people who will try to take your seat away but never forget you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
• There will be trying times, but you were made for this!

Check out our Instagram Story as Hareesa shows us what a day in the life is like in her boots.